Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

Spay/Neuter assistance

The Matagorda County SPCA has a program to help people who can't afford the cost of spay/neuter surgery for their dogs/cats. The program includes Wharton, Jackson, Matagorda and the southern part of Colorado County. Please call the SPCA at 979-323-8787 for information about the program or for an application. "If you want to help us out with this effort to get dogs/cats sterilized. Please give us a call."

Summer reading

Wharton County Library is pleased to announce its Summer Reading Program for 2008, The Texas Reading Club Jubilee: 19582008! The first day of registration is Tuesday, May 27; and children and youth to age 18 are invited to register. The special kick-off program is on Thursday, June 5 at 4 p.m., featuring Julian Franklin with story puppets and magic show. A complete schedule of programs will be given out at registration.

Summer registration

The Boys and Girls Club of Wharton now accepting applications for summer membership. Registration hours are 11 a.m. to noon and 1-8 p.m. Monday-Friday. Early registration is $35 per person and runs until May 29 when the price goes up to $40 per person. Summer membership dates will be Monday, June 9 through Wednesday, Aug. 6.

Library closed

The Wharton County Library will be closed Thursday, May 29 for a staff development day.

Red Hat Chicks

The Red Hat Chicks of Wharton will hold a recruiting get-together on Friday, May 30. If you think you may enjoy a sisterhood for fun, you are invited to attend. If interested, call Linda at 532-3816.

Fiesta Hispano Americana

Fiesta Hispano Americana Contestant registration has begun. Little Mister and Miss Contestants ages are 5-9. Jr. Miss Contestants ages are 10-13. And Queen contestants ages are from 14-18. The deadline for entry is May 31. For information, contact Felicia Compian at 832-455-4553 or visit www. fiestahispano-wharton.com.

Hungerford VFD The Hungerford Volunteer Fire Depatment will hold a Fried Chicken Dinner starting at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 1. There will be an auction and free dance with music by the Texas Sound Czechs.

College Heights VBS

The College Heights Baptist Church, 1515 Briar Lane, will have a free Vacation Bible School June 1-5 from 6:30 to 9:15 p.m. each day. It is open to children ages 4 to sixth grade. The theme for this year's VBS will be "Outrigger Island - Living God's Unshakable Truth." There will be Bible stories, games, refreshment, music and crafts. For information, call Rev. Don Hurley at 532-4442.

Witek benefit

A benefit event to assist Witek family of East Bernard with medical expenses related to the premature birth of twin daughters is scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 1 at the Needville Knights of Columbus Hall. Activities include a live auction, silent auction, bake sale, large gift basket raffle, music by Michael Messina of Pure Texas DJs and games and activities for the kids. Donations to the family can be dropped of in East Bernard at Amegy Bank, Vincek's Smokehouse, Sheila's Barber Shop, Scott's Pest Control and First National Bank of Eagle Lake, East Bernard Branch or by contacting Florence Fajkus, 335-6099; Scott Fajkus, 335- 6246 or Sharon Sebesta, 335-6143.

New Hope VBS

The New Hope Community Church is holding a nightly Vacation Bible School from 6-8 p.m. the week of June 2-6. The theme is "Chosen Champions for Jesus." For information, contact the church at 532-3224.

Nan Ya blood drive

Nan Ya Plastics Corp. USA will be having a blood drive in the company's front parking lot from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 2. Public is invited. This is also a T-shirt day.

Youth Explosion

New Hope Community Church will present an area wide 2008 Youth Explosion from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 7. It will feature the Straightway Ministry, Mime Ministry, Jackee Smith and YDM, GODZ Chosen, Gospel Rapper Q, praise dancing and the area wide youth choir. The public is invited. For information, contact Everett L. Hughes at 979-487-9482.

Jake Ford Reunion The Reunion Planning Committee is still seeking former and present residents of the Jake Ford Community. The historical and souvenir booklet committee will meet at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 7, at New Zion Bethel Baptist Church. All families are welcome to participate in the planning of this reunion. Contact persons are Thelma Hughes, 532- 4261; Cathy Williams, 979-265-5923; Sam Johnson, 361-853-8752 and Augerine Anderson, 713-721-2380.

Quickbooks class

Quickbooks 2006 hands-on training will be offered at Northside Education Center, 707 Fahrenthold in El Campo, on Saturday. June 7 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration is $99 person, which includes all course materials, training, refreshments, lunch and unlimited access to instructor via e-mail. Only a limited number of slots are still available. Call 979-543-6750 for questions or to register. Training is sponsored by City Development Corporation of El Campo and U of H/Coastal Plains Small Business Development Center.

Turkey shoot fundraiser

The Wharton Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 4507 will hold a Turkey Shoot fundraiser starting at 2 p.m. on June 7 at Joe's Place (Macek's), located on County Road 138 in Wharton. There will be a pork steak dinner and dance with tickets priced at $5. For information, or to register in advance, call Keith Stolle at 559-2919.

First Baptist VBS

First Baptist Church will be hosting a Vacation Bible School the week of Monday, June 9 to Friday, June 13, from 8:45-11:30 a.m. It is for childre who have completed Pre- K through 5th Grade. Pre-registration forms are at the church office, 507 N. Fulton. For information, call 532-4295 or 533-1938.

St. John's Lutheran VBS

A Vacation Bible School is scheduled for June 9-13 daily from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. The theme is "Friendship Trek - Jesus Our Forever Friend" and will include Bible stories, music, crafts, refreshments and games. Free and open to the public, it is for ages four through completed 7th grade. For information, call 532-1644.

Chamber Business Breakfast

Sarah Page, an economic development specialist with LCRA, will be the guest speaker at a Wharton Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast, 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, at the Wharton Civic Center. Her presentation is called Destination Marketing: Wisdom from Lighting McQueen and the Gang at Radiator Springs. Tickets are $16 each. Contact helpdesk@whartonchamber.com or 532- 1862. Wharton Economic Development Corp. is co-sponsor.

Boling Bull-Shooters

The Boling Bull-Shooters will hold their 16th Annual Fundraiser on Saturday, June 14 at thee Boling Community Center. Music will be provided by Lynn Joyce with Douglas Hubenak and Lex Forgason serving as auctioneers. There will be a social hour from 5:30-6:30 p.m., a barbecue chicken and sausage meal served 6:30-8 p.m., auction at 7:30 p.m. and dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets will be sold at the door and are priced at $7 per preson. All proceeds to benefit youth and community related activities.

Prayer Breakfast

The T.L. Pink National Alumni and Ex- Students organization is sponsoring its annual Prayer Breakfast from 8:45 to 11 a.m. on June 14 in the O'Quinn Room at the Wharton Civic Center. For information, call 453-0405.

Pre-K, K pre-registration

The Wharton Independent School District will hold pre-registration for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten through May 29. Pre-registration packages may be picked up between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Hopper Elementary School campus.

Diamond dedication

Teton Construction will be hosting the grand opening of the baseball field for the Boys and Girls Club of Wharton at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 29. The baseball field is located behind the club facility.

Water Aerobics

The City of Wharton is offering high impact and low impact water aerobics this summer. Water aerobics are on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting on June 3. High impact is from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and low impact is from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. The cost is $40 per month. An application can be obtained at City Hall or the city's Web site: cityofwharton. com. For more information, call 532- 2491, ext. 600.

Blood Drive First Baptist Church-Wharton is holding a blood drive on Wednesday, June 11 from 4:30-8 p.m. at the church Fellowship Hall. To schedule an appointment, visit www. giveblood.org, log in to digital donor and enter sponsor code 0772 or contact Herb McCown at 532-3774.

Kolache Klobase Festival

This is the 18th year of the annual Czech Kolache Klobase Festival scheduled for Saturday, June 14, at Riverside Hall in East Bernard. The event will last from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and admission is $7 per person (including parking and all events) and free for children ages 12 and under. There will be live music the entire day along with arts and crafts, kiddie games and family fun, a raffle, cake walk and kolaches for sale. A sausage/BBQ chick plant will be served starting at 11 a.m. with drive through plates and kolaches available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sausage sandwiches and hamburgers will be available during the afternoon. Proceeds benefit the KJT Society No. 40 Hall fund. For information, visit the Web site at www.kkfest.com.

Swimming Lessons

The City of Wharton is offering semiprivate swimming lessons for beginners, intermediate and advanced swimmers. Individual cost for swimming lessons is $60. Family cost is $60 for the first child, $50 for the second child and $45 for the third child. The session will be for a two-week period on Tuesday-Fridays. Session I will be held June 16-27 and Session II will be held July 7-July 18. An application can be obtained at City Hall or the city's Web site: cityofwharton. com. For more information, call 532- 2491, ext. 600.

Youth Soccer

The Wharton Youth Soccer League is accepting early, mail-in registration through June 30. The league is open to boys and girls ages 4-13 as of Sept. 1. The current registration fee is $30 per player. After June 30, the fee is $40. Registration forms are available at Custom Creations, 202 N. Houston St. For information, call Anna Rivera at 532-8296 or Theresa Hall at 532-8968.

WHS Class Reunion

Members of the Wharton High Graduation Class of 1988 are being asked to help plan the upcoming 20th Class Reunion planned for later this year. Those interested in participating are asked to contact Rachel Cruz at rzurc3101@sbcglobal.net or Donald Allen at 453-0353 or bgcwharton@sbcglobal. net.